They're ballhawking in the secondary. UMHB has only picked off
one pass in the last four games but that's more on the quality of
opponent than anything else. And the run game -- this is Mary
Hardin-Baylor, you know the deal. They ran for 200 yards or
more in every game.

You'll know they're playing poorly if:

They're throwing too often. UMHB has had some good games
throwing the ball but has thrown it away as well. After averaging
24 pass attempts in the first four contests and getting 10 passes
picked off, the Cru has thrown 15 passes per game over the final
six and thrown just two picks.

This season's turning point:

Intercepting the two-point conversion pass of McMurry's Jake
Mullin in the ASC opener, allowing the Cru to hold on against the
War Hawks' furious post-lightning comeback.

Quarterback Shane McSweeny, the team's second leading rusher,
is scrambling and looking for contact in the opposing team's
secondary and they're being appropriately aggressive on
defense.

You'll know they're playing poorly if:

The opposing team is able to run the ball. This season, teams
have gained less than 2.3 yards per carry against Wesley, forcing
passing situations in which the defense can create havoc. Also if
personal fouls are an issue.

This season's turning point:

Offensive coordinator Chip Knapp's son Ben, having a serious
health issue on an overnight trip to Walsh Oct. 22. Since then,
Wesley's players have matured and played with a sense of purpose,
and the entire program seems both galvanized and inspired.

Rushing/passing yards per game:

207.8/186.6

Rushing/passing yards allowed:

74.0/163.5

How far can they go?

To Round 2 or to Salem. In a loaded bracket, perhaps the wild
card of the entire field.

The secondary is forcing turnovers. Led by senior defensive
back Tyler Barrett, the Tigers are plus-13 in turnovers thanks to a
hefty interception ratio. That same secondary also finished the
season with the SCAC’s best pass defense at 133 yards per
game.

You'll know they're playing poorly if:

Trinity is sluggish in scoring in the first and third quarters.
The Tigers are at their best at these points in the game, so far
outscoring opponents 143-27 in these quarters. However, if
they’re not gaining momentum at these points in the game, it
has often translated into duller play in the latter part of the
half and closer-than-expected games.

This season's turning point:

The offseason, in which they were able to put the first losing
season in nearly two decades behind them. It took effort to refocus
the team and emerge through the 2011 regular season
undefeated.

Rushing/passing yards per game:

167.5/154.3

Rushing/passing yards allowed:

108.9/133.2

How far can they go?

Through the first round of the Texas subbracket and into the
clutches of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

Jake Mullin has time to throw and find his multiple targets.
Unfortunately, Mullin was on crutches at the end of the game in
Week 11 against Mississippi College. His backup has thrown four
interceptions in 60 attempts. The defense gets takeaways that
McMurry can convert into points.

You'll know they're playing poorly if:

They have to settle for shorter routes because the pass
protection isn't there and they end up with more sacks than 20-yard
gains. Opposing defenses bend, rather than break.

This season's turning point:

Lightning strikes with 8:41 left in the first half and McMurry
trailing 21-6 at Mary Hardin-Baylor. After nearly an hour-long
break, the War Hawks rally to come within a two-point conversion
attempt of taking the lead.

Junior QB Nick Strang plays and is hitting his targets with
consistency. Strang threw 11 touchdowns and just four interceptions
in the first five games, which Hobart won by an average of 26
points. In the final three games, Strang threw four touchdowns and
five interceptions and Hobart outscored opponents by an average of
nine. This assumes Strang plays, as he suffered a concussion in the
final game of the season at Rochester.

You'll know they're playing poorly if:

The defense gives up points, especially in the secondary.
Sophomore linebacker Devin Worthington and freshman defensive end
Tyre Coleman have been simply stellar this year. Hobart's given up
over 20 points in just two games this season -- one of which was a
29-28 loss to RPI. RPI threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns in
the win, perhaps avoiding the front seven altogether.

This season's turning point:

In their second game of the season, Hobart went from marginal
favorite in the Liberty League race to expected champion following
a 36-point win against a vaunted St. John Fisher team.

Rushing/passing yards per game:

210.6/192.4

Rushing/passing yards allowed:

109.5/149.9

How far can they go?

Home for the holidays. Hobart is banged up on offense and
struggling on special teams. Even if Strang can play, receivers
Junior Woodard and Garth Muratori are not at 100 percent and Yosh
Karbowniczak has an ankle injury. Don't book that west-coast trip
yet.

They throw under 30 times per game and can also control the
opponent's passing game. More than half of the Bulldogs' opponents
threw for more than 300 yards.

You'll know they're playing poorly if:

Just take quarterback Chad Hurst as an example -- he was a
respectable 8-for-17 for 97 yards in the first half as Redlands
built up its halftime lead at Cal Lutheran, then 4-for-13 for 36
yards in the second half with an interception.

This season's turning point:

Any of several nail-biters down the stretch, each of which
Redlands survived after coughing up a 24-point halftime lead at Cal
Lutheran.

Rushing/passing yards per game:

211.1/212.8

Rushing/passing yards allowed:

117.6/272.3

How far can they go?

This is a one-and-out situation. Teams that struggle to put
away Claremont, Occidental, La Verne and Chapman don't win on the
road in the playoffs.